Remembering a Decade, Respectful Flag Flying

Published: September 7, 2011 10:05 AM

Everyone is talking about it, thinking about it, remembering itmemorializing it; them. I of course am talking about the 10 year anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. The New York Times ran a poignant article on September 4th titled "Media Strive to Cover 9/11 Without Seeming to Exploit a Tragedy." The article's title is thought provoking. Given the contemporary media climate, and individual's ultra connectedness through electronic mediums, how can a nation memorialize the anniversary of a profound tragedy while remaining reverent and respectful? For many people, as I have noticed walking our new puppy every evening, remembering the attacks might be through a physical display of patriotism " flying the American flag. And while displaying the nation's colors is a bold statement of patriotic conviction doing it carelessly at night under poor or no illumination, for example, is perhaps the opposite. As we fly our flags this and every other week remember a clause in Francis Bellamy's infamous 1892 Pledge of Allegiance, "And to the Republic for which it stands" The flag is not a decoration, albeit attractive when displayed, but a representation of all those to devoted, gave, or lost their lives making our nation great. Take pride in this by flying your flag respectfully.

A guide to proper flag etiquette may be found on the National Flag Foundation's website: www.americanflags.org